Baylor AD Mack Rhoades investigated for alleged altercation with player and coach

Baylor athletics director and College Football Playoff president Mack Rhoades has been at the center of a school investigation into an alleged verbal and physical altercation with a football player and an assistant coach.

OutKick spoke with numerous sources regarding this incident and is protecting their identities for fear of future retaliation regarding this matter.

On September 20, as Baylor prepared to play Arizona State in a Big 12 Conference game, tight end Michael Trigg was preparing to take the field for the opening series against the Sun Devils. As part of his uniform that day, Trigg wore a long-sleeved yellow shirt that served to cover a brace he was wearing on his shoulder.

Baylor Bears tight end Michael Trigg (1) celebrates a touchdown against the UCF Knights at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Richard Rodríguez/Getty Images)

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Sources told OutKick that athletic director Mack Rhoades approached Trigg as they were kicking the ball to start the game, and while putting his hands on the player asked him, ‘What the fuck are you wearing that yellow jersey for?’ On the sidelines before the game, several assistants were present when this incident occurred, as it occurred within a short period of time.

The timing of this incident stood out the most, as the offense was ready to take the field for the opening series against Arizona State. This incident escalated throughout the game, as assistant coaches attempted to calm Michael Trigg regarding the incident that had occurred just as Arizona State kicked the ball to Baylor.

Trigg would catch two touchdowns, totaling 71 yards that day, and Baylor lost on a last-second field goal by Arizona State.

It’s also worth noting that former Baylor assistant coach Mason Miller, who left the team due to what Dave Aranda called a “personal matter,” is not the coach AD Mack Rhoades faced.

It got worse: Alleged incident after Baylor’s loss to Arizona State

University of Missouri-Columbia athletic director Mack Rhoades speaks to the media during a news conference on campus as University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe resigned amid protests over racial tensions at the university in Columbia, Missouri, on Nov. 9, 2015. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Immediately after the game, as players walked the field to thank fans, as well as gather to listen to the school song, Mack Rhoades was allegedly standing behind Trigg and other coaches. It was then that the situation took a different turn, with a second coach being involved.

Multiple witnesses told OutKick that while Trigg was going to be with his family, an assistant coach was visiting with his family, when AD Mack Rhoades allegedly walked up behind him and grabbed the assistant’s arm and subsequently his shoulder and neck area. According to sources, Rhoades allegedly proceeded to verbally harass the assistant coach, which was witnessed by several Baylor staff members within the athletic department, along with members of his family.

OutKick obtained Human Resources complaints filed in response to the incident, which are filed anonymously to protect their identities, and which shed light on the incident in question regarding the student-athlete.

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According to multiple sources, an investigation was launched into the incident, where members of the football staff and athletic department present in both cases were questioned about the incident.

During the investigation, it was learned that there was video evidence of the alleged incident in question.

Since Baylor is a private university, OutKick has not been able to obtain this video which would come from cameras around McLane Stadium.

Investigation into alleged incidents by Mack Rhoades

The Baylor Bears take the field before the game against the UCF Knights at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, on November 1, 2025. (Richard Rodríguez/Getty Images)

University officials launched an investigation into this matter, with the focal point being the alleged actions of Mack Rhoades. There were multiple witnesses to the second incident in question, as AD staff members recognized that this was occurring in a public setting and that the optics of this would not be good.

At first, Trigg and the assistant coach were asked to apologize to Rhoades for the incident in question, until members of the athletic department realized it should have been the other way around, with Rhoades apologizing to the player and assistant coach.

There were more than eight people who witnessed the alleged incident involving the Athletic Director and the assistant coach, in addition to television cameras from FOX Sports that could have captured the alleged incident that occurred just as the game began.

We reached out to Baylor this morning knowing there was an investigation into the incidents. Baylor’s response indicated that it had been completed and Rhoades was found to have done what was alleged:

“Over a month ago, Baylor University received reports of an incident involving Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades,” the statement to OutKick read. “These reports were thoroughly reviewed and investigated in accordance with University policies, appropriate action was taken, and the matter is now closed. Mr. Rhoades has expressed regret for his emotions and acknowledges that his conduct at the time did not reflect our Christian mission and values.”

“Mr. Rhoades is an important part of our Baylor family and we look forward to him continuing to lead our Athletics Department. We remain committed to ensuring a respectful and responsible environment for all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”

Baylor has not denied our reporting on this story and the incidents that occurred on September 20. In an email to Baylor, Outkick laid out all the details of the incident in question for them to respond.

In their statement, they do not deny any of the allegations made against Mack Rhoades in the incident that OutKick reported. As for what Rhoades’ punishment was, the school declined to comment further on the incident.

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OutKick will continue to follow this story, especially considering the AD’s physical contact toward a student and assistant coach on the Baylor football team.

Our reports do not indicate that this matter is closed everywhere. OutKick has also contacted the College Football Playoff, along with the NCAA, regarding this matter.